JP2001339674A - Remote control device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately control an electrical machinery and apparatus from the remote location. SOLUTION: The electronic mail that the interpolation of a control command was done is transmitted through a public line 2, is received through a modem section 21 of a gateway 20, and then is converted into digital data and supplied to a control section 22. A CPU(central processing unit) 22a of the control section 22 extracts the control command which is included in this electronic mail, while a received electronic mail is stored in a RAM(random access memory) 22c. An interface section 23 then is supplied with a control signal corresponding to the control command. An IR(infra red) sending section 26 allows the interface section 23 to send a signal corresponding to the control signal supplied from the CPU 22a or it outputs the signal through an interconnect line 28 and controls a video recorder 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a remote control device and method, and more particularly, to a remote control device and method connectable via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When controlling conventional electric equipment such as a television receiver and a video deck, desired control is performed by operating operation buttons provided on the apparatus main body and a remote controller. .

[0003] Further, using a timer function or the like for executing the contents set by the operation buttons at a predetermined time,
Even when the user is absent, the electric device can be operated as desired.

In recent years, for example, it has become possible to interactively control a video deck or the like at home from outside the home using a tone signal of a telephone.

[0005]

However, in the case of an electric device that operates an operation button provided on a remote controller or a main body, there is a problem that when the user is outside the home, these cannot be controlled. Was.

Further, even in the case of an electric device having a timer function, since the setting cannot be performed from outside the home, when an unexpected situation occurs and it becomes necessary to control the electric device in a hurry, There was a problem that it could not be dealt with.

[0007] Further, in the case where control is performed in an interactive manner via a telephone line, it is necessary to operate a push button in response to a voice from a receiving side (electrical device). there were. In addition, when a plurality of electric devices are located in a home, if all of them are controlled by the same method, it is necessary to allocate a telephone line to each electric device, thereby increasing the cost of equipment. There were challenges.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and makes it possible to easily and quickly control electric equipment installed in a home from outside the home.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a remote control device comprising: an acquisition unit for acquiring control information transmitted through a network by accessing a predetermined server; and a control unit acquired by the acquisition unit. Extracting means for extracting at least a recording control command including a recording start date and time, a recording end date and time, and a television broadcast channel included in the information; and a predetermined television broadcast recording device based on the recording control command extracted by the extraction means. Recording control means for controlling the

The recording control command can further include a recording mode.

According to the remote control method of the present invention, an acquisition control processing step of controlling the acquisition of control information transmitted via a network by accessing a predetermined server, and the acquisition is performed by the acquisition control processing step. Based on the control command extracted by the processing of the extraction processing step of extracting at least the recording control command including the recording start date and time, the recording end date and time, and the television broadcast channel included in the controlled control information. And a recording control processing step of controlling a predetermined television broadcast recording device.

The recording control command may further include a recording mode.

In the remote control device and method according to the present invention, by accessing a predetermined server, control information transmitted via a network is acquired, and at least a recording start is included in the acquired control information. A recording control command including a date and time, a recording end date and time, and a television broadcast channel is extracted, and a predetermined television broadcast recording device is controlled based on the extracted recording control command.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, terminal 1-1
1 to 6 are public lines (analog lines or IS lines)
DN line, etc.) Provider 3 through 2-1 and 2-2
1, 3-2 and connected to the providers 3-1 and 3-
It is possible to transmit and receive information to and from other terminals under the management of 2.

The providers 3-1 and 3-2 are connected to the terminal 1-1.
Are called via the public lines 2-1 and 2-2, the TCP / I is exchanged with the calling terminal.
P (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protoco
1) (dial-up IP connection).

The Internet 4 is connected to the providers 3-1 and 3-1.
3-2 are interconnected, and information is communicated between them based on the above-mentioned protocol called TCP / IP.

FIG. 2 shows terminals 1-1 to 1-6 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the embodiment. In this figure, the gateway 20 is capable of exchanging information with another terminal via the public line 2.

The input unit 24 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and is operated when predetermined information is input to the gateway 20. CRT (Cath
The odeRay Tube) monitor 25 is configured to display received information and information input from the input unit 24.

An IR (Infra Red) transmitting section 26 irradiates infrared rays under the control of the gateway 20 to control the video deck 27.

The connection line 28 is, for example, a wired CI
It is a signal line based on a home bus such as RCS or LANC, and exchanges information between the gateway 20 and the video deck 27.

The video deck 27 performs operations such as recording, playback, and stop according to a control signal transmitted via the IR transmission unit 26 or the connection line 28.

The gateway 20 is connected to the modem unit 2
1, a control unit 22 and an interface unit 23.

The modem unit 21 transmits a signal (analog signal) on the public line 2 and a signal (digital signal) in the control unit 22 so that information can be exchanged between the public line 2 and a control unit 22 described later. Signal) and are mutually converted.

The control unit 22 has a CPU (Central Process
ng Unit) 22a, ROM (Read Only Memory) 22
b, RAM (Random Access Memory) 22c, and
It is constituted by a timer 22d.

The CPU 22a executes various calculations and controls each unit of the apparatus. ROM
22b stores a program executed by the CPU 22a, data necessary for processing, and the like. RAM 22
c temporarily stores data and the like generated when the CPU 22a executes the arithmetic processing. The timer 22d measures and outputs the current date and time.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

Now, it is assumed that the terminal installed in the home of a certain user is the terminal 1-1, and the terminal installed in the place where the user is currently located (for example, a company) is the terminal 1-4. And

In such a situation, a case will be described in which the user sends an e-mail from the office terminal 1-4 to the home terminal 1-1 and makes a recording reservation for the VCR 27.

Now, it is assumed that the user operates the input section 24 of the terminal 1-4 of the company and inputs an e-mail as shown in FIG. The first line of the e-mail describes the destination of the e-mail. That is, “home-server@bar.sony.co.jp” described after “TO:” is the distribution destination of the e-mail. Specifically, “bar.sony.co.jp” described after “@” indicates a domain name (the domain name of the provider 3-1), and “bar.sony.co.jp” is described before “@”. "Home-server" has an ID name (terminal 1-
1 ID name).

The second line describes the transmission source.
That is, “foo” described after “From:” is the ID name of this user in the company, and “sm.sony.co.jp” described after “@” is the domain name ( Domain name of the provider 3-2).

In this embodiment, the terminals 1-4 to 1-6 are connected to the Internet 4 via the provider 3-2.
Although these terminals are connected to LAN (Lo
calArea Network) and may be connected to the Internet 4 via a host computer.

Returning to FIG. 3, the third line describes the second delivery destination of this e-mail. In this example, “mother” described immediately after “Cc:” is the ID name of the second distribution destination (for example, the ID of the mother of this user)
Name) and "bar.s" written after "@"
ony.co.jp "indicates the domain name (the domain name of the provider 3-1).

On the fourth line, a control command for the gateway 20 is described. In this example, "Subjec
"Video Reservation" is described after "t:", indicating that this e-mail includes a control command for making a recording reservation of the VCR 27.

The "VideoReserva" described in the fifth line
“tion” is a control command, and is a command for making a recording reservation of the video deck 27 as described above.

The characters described in the sixth line designate parameters for making a recording reservation. That is, these characters are used to define what parameters are the numerical values and characters described in the next seventh line.

The numerical values and characters described on the seventh line are
This is the set value of the parameter defined in the sixth line. In this example, “10th (Date) from 11:00 to (FROM), from 12:00 (TO) (TO), three channels (C
H) Standard (SP: Standard Play) Speed (SPEED) "
Is set to record. Note that these orders can be arbitrarily changed.

The last line 8 describes a message. In other words, in this example, the message “Thank you for the reservation with the above content” is described, and the fact that the above setting has been performed is transmitted to the mother of the user who is the second distributor. It has been made like that.

Next, the above e-mail is sent to the terminal 1-
4 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 in the operation of terminal 1-1 on the receiving side.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing executed in the terminal 1-1. This process is executed when the power of the terminal 1-1 is turned on.

When this processing is executed, C
In step S1, the PU 22a determines whether a set time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed. As a result, if it is determined that the set time has not elapsed (NO), the process returns to step S1, and the same processing is repeated until the set time has elapsed. If it is determined that the set time has elapsed (YES), the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the CPU 22a supplies a predetermined control signal to the modem unit 21 and
Calls the provider 3-1 via the terminal 1-1 and
It is determined whether or not an e-mail addressed to is received. As a result, if it is determined that an e-mail has not arrived (NO), the process returns to step S1, and the same processing as in the above case is repeated. Also, an e-mail has arrived (YE
When it is determined as S), the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the CPU 22a acquires the e-mail arriving at the provider 3-1 via the modem unit 21 and stores it in the RAM 22c. And
Proceed to step S4.

In step S4, the CPU 22a
E-mail stored in M22c is sequentially read out line by line, and command character strings (character strings including control commands)
Is determined. As a result, when it is determined that the command character string is not included (NO),
Returning to step S1, the same processing as that described above is repeated. Also, a command character string exists (YE
When it is determined as S), the process proceeds to step S5. In addition,
If it is determined that the command character string does not exist (NO), the e-mail stored in the RAM 22c can be displayed on the CRT monitor 25 by operating the input unit 24.

If it is determined in step S4 that a command character string exists (YES), the flow advances to step S5 to determine whether the command character string is "VIDEOReservation" (video recording reservation). As a result, if it is determined that the command character string is not “VIDEOReservation” (NO), the process proceeds to step S7. If it is determined that the command character string is “VIDEOReservation” (YES), the process proceeds to step S6.

Step S6 is a subroutine process, the details of which will be described with reference to FIG. When the processing in step S6 is executed, the processing in step S20 in FIG. 5 is called and executed. In the process of step S20, the CPU 22a determines whether the setting content (parameter) of the command character string is normal. That is, for example, a case where the recording end time is earlier than the recording start time or a case where a part of the recording time of the previously set recording reservation data and a part of the recording time of the currently received recording reservation data are detected. As a result, the settings are not normal (N
If the determination is O), the process proceeds to step S21 to create an e-mail indicating that the recording reservation cannot be set, as shown in FIG. Is sent to

In the electronic mail shown in FIG. 6, as in the case described above, the ID name and domain name of the terminal 1-4 as the transmission destination are described in the first line. In the second line,
The ID name and domain name of the terminal 1-1 that is the transmission source are described. Further, the third line indicates that the e-mail is for a video recording reservation "VIDEOR
eservation "is described.

On the next line, the setting contents described in the e-mail shown in FIG. 3 are described as they are. Next, a message indicating that the recording reservation data of the reservation number 1 previously reserved and the recording time of the recording transmission data transmitted this time partially overlaps with each other is described. ing. Such an e-mail is generated in the process of step S21, and the terminal 1-4
Sent to. Then, step S6 shown in FIG.
(Return).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the setting is normal (YES), the flow proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the CPU 22a extracts a parameter included in the recording reservation data, and
Proceed to 23.

In step S23, the CPU 22a determines whether all the parameters are included in the extracted parameters. The parameters relating to the recording reservation are a recording date (DATE), a recording start time (FROM), a recording end time (TO), a recording channel (CH), and a recording mode (SPEED). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that they are not all present (NO), the process proceeds to step S24, in which the missing parameters are supplemented with default values, and the process proceeds to step S25. Where the default value is
It is set as follows.

Recording date: Date of the day when the e-mail arrived Recording start time: Time at which the e-mail arrived Recording end time: Time one hour after the recording start time Channel: Favorite channel (set in advance) Recording mode: LP (Long Play) mode

Therefore, for example, it is assumed that an e-mail including the following recording reservation parameters is received on the 10th.

[0052]

In this case, the set recording reservation parameters are as follows.

[0054]

The above default values may be changed as needed. For example, the recording date is the date the day after the e-mail arrives, the recording start time is 10 minutes after the e-mail arrives, the recording end time is 30 minutes after the recording start time, and the recording mode Is SP (Standa
rd Play) mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that all parameters are complete,
The process skips step S24 and proceeds to step S25.

In step S25, the extracted parameters are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 22c (an area for setting the operation time of the timer), and the operation of the timer 22d is started. Then, the process proceeds to step S26.

In step S 26, the CPU 22 a creates, for example, an e-mail shown in FIG.
-4. In this embodiment, the destination, the source, and the title of the e-mail described in the first to third lines are the same as those in FIG. However, the fourth line describes the reservation number,
This indicates that the data received by the terminal 1-1 has been received as the second recording reservation data. The next line describes the setting of the received parameter. The last line describes a message indicating that a recording reservation has been made with the settings as shown in FIG. Such an e-mail is transmitted to the terminal 1-4, and the user who has transmitted the recording reservation e-mail shown in FIG.
1 can know that the setting has been performed normally.

When the process of step S26 is completed, FIG.
The process returns to step S6 shown in FIG. Then, step S1
And the same processing as in the above case is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the command character string is not "VIDEOReservation" (NO), the process proceeds to step S7. And C
The PU 22a determines whether the command character string is “VIDEOCancel”. As a result, if the command string is "VI
If it is determined that it is not “DEOCancel” (NO), the process proceeds to step S9. If the command string is "VIDEOCance
l ”(YES), step S
Proceed to 8. Note that the processing in step S8 is also a subroutine processing, and therefore the details will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating details of the cancel processing shown in FIG. In this process, the previously set recording reservation data is deleted. When this processing is executed, in step S40, the CPU 22a determines whether the designated (removed) recording reservation data is stored in the RAM 22c. As a result, when it is determined that the designated recording reservation data is not stored in the RAM 22c (NO), the process proceeds to step S41, and the process proceeds to step S21 in FIG.
As in the case of (1), an e-mail indicating that the designated recording reservation data cannot be deleted is transmitted to the terminal 1-4 via the modem unit 21. Then, the process returns to step S8 (return).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S40 that the designated recording reservation data exists (YES), the process proceeds to step S42. Step S42
Then, the CPU 22a stores the designated recording reservation data in R
Delete from AM22c. Then, the process proceeds to a step S43, and an e-mail indicating that the reservation data has been deleted is sent to the terminal 1-4. Then, step S in FIG.
The process returns to step 8 (return). After returning to the process of step S8, the process returns to step S1 and repeats the same processes as those described above.

If it is determined in step S7 that the command character string is not "VIDEOCancel" (NO), the process proceeds to step S9. Step S
9, the CPU 22a determines that the command character string is "VIDEOCon
"firm". As a result, if it is determined that the command character string is not “VIDEOConfirm” (NO), the process returns to step S1, and the same processing as in the above-described case is repeated. If it is determined that the command character string is “VIDEOConfirm” (YES), the process proceeds to step S10.

Step S10 is a subroutine for transmitting all the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c as an electronic mail. When this processing is executed, the processing shown in FIG. 9 is executed. .

When the process of step S60 shown in FIG. 9 is executed, the CPU 22a reads out all the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c. And step S
Proceeding to 61, the CPU 22a creates an e-mail as shown in FIG. 10 and sends it out to the terminal 1-4 via the modem unit 21.

In the first line of the e-mail shown in FIG.
The ID name and the domain name of the terminal 1-4 as the transmission destination are described, and the second line describes the terminal 1-4 as the transmission source.
1 describes an ID name and a domain name. Furthermore, the third
The line indicates that the electronic mail is for confirming the recording reservation data of the video deck 27.

In the fourth line, there is a description "the setting contents of the recording reservation is as follows", which indicates that the recording reservation data is described thereafter. That is, at 9:00 on the 10th as data with the reservation number “1”.
From 10:00 to 10:00, one channel is LP (Long Pla
y) Recording reservation data indicating that recording is performed in the mode is described, and next to this, the reservation number is “2”.
Is data from 11:00 to 12:00 on the 10th
Until 0, recording reservation data indicating that three channels are recorded in SP (Standard Play) mode is shown.

The above e-mail is received by the terminal 1-4. The user sends the received e-mail to C
By displaying on the RT monitor 25, it is possible to confirm the recording reservation data set in the terminal 1-1.

When the processing in step S61 in FIG. 9 is completed, the processing returns to the processing in step S10 in FIG. Then, the process returns to step S1, and the same processing as described above is repeated.

By the above processing, the terminal 1 outside the home
Recording reservation data transmitted from the home terminal 1
-1 is stored in the RAM 22c. And this terminal 1
A value of -1 controls the video deck 27 in accordance with the processing shown in FIG. 11 and executes recording at a reserved time.

When the processing shown in FIG. 11 is executed, the terminal 1
In step S80, the CPU 22a of -1 compares the output data of the timer 22d with the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c to determine whether or not the recording start time has come. As a result, if it is determined that the recording start time has not come (NO), the process returns to step S80, and the same processing is repeated until recording starts. Also,
If it is determined that the recording start time has come (YES),
Proceed to step S81.

At step S81, the CPU 22a determines whether or not the video deck 27 is connected by wire. That is, it is determined whether or not the video deck 27 is connected to the gateway 20 via the connection line 28. As a result, when it is determined that the wired connection is established (YES),
The process proceeds to step S82, and if it is determined that the wired connection is not established (NO), the process proceeds to step S89.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a wired connection is made, and an IR transmitting section 26 for controlling a video deck 27 by infrared rays is connected to the gateway 20. In such a case, the transmission speed is high,
The connection line 28 having high reliability is preferentially used.

Returning to FIG. 11, if YES is determined in the step S81, the process proceeds to a step S82,
The CPU 22a turns on the power supply of the video deck 27 via the wired interface (via the connection line 28). Then, the process proceeds to step S83, and the recording speed is set to, for example, the SP mode by the wired interface.

In the following step S84, the CPU 22a
Sets the recording channel of the video deck 27 via the wired interface. Further, in step S85, a predetermined control signal is similarly transmitted to the video deck 27 via the wired interface to start recording.

In step S86, the CPU 22a refers to the output data of the timer 22d and the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c to determine whether or not the recording end time has come. As a result, if it is determined that the recording end time has not come (NO), the process returns to step S86, and the same processing is repeated until the recording end time comes. If it is determined that the recording end time has come (YES), the process proceeds to step S87, and the CPU 22a stops recording on the video deck 27 via the wired interface. Then, the process proceeds to step S88, in which the power supply of the video deck 27 is turned off, the process returns to step S80, and the same processing as that described above is repeated.

In step S81, the CPU 2
2a, the video deck 27 is not wired (N
If it is determined as O), the process proceeds to step S89, where IR
A predetermined control signal is transmitted from the interface (IR transmitter 26), and the power supply of the video deck 27 is turned on.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S90, wherein a recording speed is set by the IR interface.

In the following step S91, CPU 22a
Sets the recording channel of the video deck 27 via the IR interface. Further, in step S92, a predetermined control signal is transmitted to the video deck 27 via the IR interface to start recording.

At step S93, the CPU 22a refers to the output data of the timer 22d and the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c to determine whether or not the recording end time has come. As a result, if it is determined that the recording end time has not come (NO), the process returns to step S93, and the same processing is repeated until the recording end time comes. If it is determined that the recording end time has come (YES), the process proceeds to step S94, and the CPU 22a stops recording on the video deck 27 via the IR interface. Then, the process proceeds to step S95, in which the power supply of the video deck 27 is turned off, and thereafter, the process returns to step S80, and the same processing as that described above is repeated.

According to the above processing, it becomes possible to control the video deck 27 in accordance with the recording reservation data stored in the RAM 22c and record a desired program.

According to the above-described embodiment, even when the user is outside the home, it is possible to control an electric device such as a video deck in the home by sending an electronic mail. It is possible to confirm whether setting is possible and the setting contents by e-mail.

In the above embodiment, the video deck 27 is exemplified as the electric device controlled by the gateway 20, but the present invention is not limited to such a case. Needless to say, it is also possible to control other electric devices such as audio and audio devices.

In the above embodiment, the terminals 1-1 to 1-6 are connected via the Internet 4 and the providers 3-1 and 3-2. Of course, it may be used.

[0085]

According to the remote control device and method of the present invention, by accessing a predetermined server, control information transmitted via a network is acquired, and at least the control information included in the acquired control information is acquired. A recording control command including a recording start date and time, a recording end date and time, and a television broadcast channel is extracted, and a predetermined television broadcast recording device is controlled based on the extracted recording control command. Thus, it is possible to accurately control the electric devices.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a terminal 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic mail for video reservation sent from a transmitting side.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by a control unit 22 illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating details of a reservation process shown in FIG. 4;

6 is a diagram showing an example of an e-mail sent from a receiving side when a recording reservation is not made normally as a result of the reservation processing shown in FIG.

7 is a diagram showing an example of an e-mail sent from the receiving side when a recording reservation is normally made as a result of the reservation processing shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating details of a cancel process shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of a confirmation process shown in FIG. 4;

10 is a diagram showing an example of an e-mail sent from the receiving side as a result of the confirmation processing shown in FIG.

11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by a control unit 22 illustrated in FIG. 2 when a recording reservation is made.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 modem section, 22a CPU, 23 interface section, 24 input section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/7826 H04Q 9/00 301E H04Q 9/00 301 H04N 5/782 Z

Claims (4)

[Claims] An acquisition unit for acquiring control information transmitted via a network by accessing a predetermined server, and at least a recording start date and time included in the control information acquired by the acquisition unit. Extracting means for extracting a recording control command including a recording end date and time, and a television broadcast channel, and recording control means for controlling a predetermined television broadcast recording device based on the recording control command extracted by the extracting means. A remote control device comprising: 2. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the recording control command further includes a recording mode. 3. An acquisition control processing step of controlling acquisition of control information transmitted via a network by accessing a predetermined server; and said control of which acquisition is controlled by the processing of said acquisition control processing step. An extraction processing step of extracting a recording control command including at least a recording start date and time, a recording end date and time, and a television broadcast channel included in the information; and a predetermined processing based on the control command extracted by the extraction processing step. And a recording control processing step of controlling the television broadcast recording device. 4. The remote control method according to claim 3, wherein the recording control command further includes a recording mode.